Knives become medals for youths helping communities

The knives are melted down at the foundry and made into medals

Confiscated knives are being turned into medals to be awarded to young people in the West Midlands making a positive impact in their communities.

The University of Wolverhampton and West Midlands Police are working together to turn the weapons into "symbols of hope and recognition".

The scheme hopes to empower young people to take pride in their communities and be educated about the dangers and consequences of knife crime, the university said.

It will focus on youngsters in grassroots football with former Nigeria and Birmingham City striker Dele Adebola involved alongside police and university representatives.

The knives, also surrendered along with seized axes and hammers, are being melted down by the university's National Foundry Training Centre.

Three medal designs have been confirmed with one featuring the inscription "Cast from knives into symbols of hope".

The second and third designs incorporate a heptagon shape and will hold a gel insert, the university said.

The university and the police force hope to expand the project by producing trophies for sporting events and other youth-focused programmes.

Colin Whorton, foundry manager, said: "Many people may assume universities are purely research focused, but it is not all about that.

"The community engagement of the University of Wolverhampton is very important to us.

"Projects like these that take knives and transform them into trophies can bring new ideals to the next generation and makes us the university of opportunity."